Connector system for a docking station of a portable computer system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is embodied in a connector system for a docking station of a portable computer. The connector system includes a peripheral connector array that is removeably coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a docking station or port replicator. Since the connector array is removeably coupled to the port replicator, the connector array can be maneuvered to allow easy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. Also, the port replicator preferably has a recessed area for storing the connector array after electrical connection of appropriate peripherals to the connector array. This reduces clutter and tangling of the cables connected to the peripherals. In addition, the connector array can be of various sizes and shapes and can be designed to interface with specific portable computers. Further, the connector system of the present invention can be upgradeable in that the port replicator can accept upgraded or newer connector arrays that have additional or advanced connections for peripheral devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to portable computers andconnectors, and more particularly to a connector system for a dockingstation of a portable computer.

2. Related Art

Portable computers are popular and widespread devices that provide auser with mobile computing power in a small, lightweight portablepackage. Portable computers include notebook computers, laptop computersand hand-held computing devices (such as personal digital assistants(PDAs)). In order to save size and weight, portable computers frequentlyhave less functionality that a desktop computer and have smaller devices(such as keyboards and monitors). For example, a portable computer maylack certain drive modules (such as a CD-ROM drive or a floppy drive)and may have a smaller monitor and keyboard.

Although portable computers are very efficient mobile computing devices,they also can be used in non-mobile computing environments. For example,one common device that enables a user to use a portable computer as a“replacement” for a desktop computer is a docking platform. A dockingplatform (such as a docking station or a port replicator) facilitatesthe use of a portable computer with components that are usuallyconsidered non-portable and associated with the desktop computer system,such as desktop computer peripherals and network connections.

Docking platforms are typically used to interface portable computers toother portable, desktop or non-portable electronic peripherals, such ascomputer monitors, optical disk drives, full-size keyboards, pointingdevices such as trackballs or mice, digital cameras, and other devices.Many types and styles of docking stations have been developed tointerface with portable computers. Several of the more common types ofdocking stations are described below.

One example of a simple type of docking station is commonly known as a“port replicator.” Port replicators generally attach to a singleconnector on the portable computer. The port replicator duplicates theconnectors typically found on the portable computer and may addadditional functionality to the system. These connectors often includePS2 keyboard and mouse connectors, serial connectors, parallelconnectors, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, audio input andoutput connectors, and video connectors. In general, a port replicatoris useful for quickly connecting a portable computer to one or moreperipherals that may be permanently or temporarily connected to the portreplicator. The portable computer is simply connected to the portreplicator via a single connector, instead connecting each individualperipheral to the portable computer. The port replicator provides accessto each of the peripherals connected to the port replicator.

However, while port replicators are good for making a quick connectionto multiple peripherals, and are relatively inexpensive, they haveseveral problems that limit their utility. For example, port replicatorsare limited to the connectors built into them, such as those describedabove, and thus have no expansion capability. If a computer user desiresto add a peripheral such as an Ethernet connection to a computernetwork, or a faster graphics processor, the user would be unable to addsuch capability through the port replicator. Further, port replicatorstypically connect directly to the back of a portable computer, whilemultiple peripherals are connected via interface cables directly to theback of the port replicator. Consequently, the surface upon which thecomputer is resting often appears cluttered and unsightly due to atangle of interface cables connected to the port replicator. Further,since each peripheral needs to be individually connected to the portreplicator, access to the port replicator is cumbersome andinconvenient. Therefore, what is needed is a system for allowing easyand convenient connection of a port replicator or docking station tonon-portable peripherals for a portable computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art as described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention isembodied in a connector system for a docking station of a portablecomputer.

The connector system includes a peripheral connector array that isremoveably coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a dockingstation or port replicator. The connector system can include anindependent power supply or can be powered by a power supply containedin the port replicator. Since the connector array is removeably coupledto the port replicator, the connector array can be maneuvered to alloweasy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals to theconnector array.

Also, the port replicator can have a recessed area for storing theconnector array after electrical connection of appropriate peripheralsto the connector array. Storage of the connector array reduces clutterand tangling of the cables connected to the peripherals. However, forslim or smaller form factor portable computers, the port replicator canbe smaller, and thus, the connector array can simply be electricallycoupled to the port replicator. As such in this embodiment, theconnector array does not need to be mechanically fitted within the portreplicator. In addition, the connector array can be of various sizes andshapes and can be designed to interface with specific portablecomputers. Further, the connector system of the present invention can beupgradeable in that the docking station or port replicator can acceptupgraded or newer connector arrays.

Moreover, the connector array can be an enhanced port replicator withthe addition of one or more enhancements such as, for example, Ethernetconnectivity, one or more PCMCIA expansion slots, or an ISA or PCIcomputer card slot. Peripheral devices connected to the enhanced portreplicator may be controlled either by electronics within the portablecomputer, or by one or more computer cards installed within theexpansion slots.

The foregoing and still further features and advantages of the presentinvention as well as a more complete understanding thereof will be madeapparent from a study of the following detailed description of theinvention in connection with the accompanying drawings and appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be further understood by reference to thefollowing description and attached drawings that illustrate thepreferred embodiment. Other features and advantages will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate,by way of example, the principles of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a docking system in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a working example, shown for illustrative purposes only, ofthe computer docking system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a working example, shown for illustrative purposes only, of analternative embodiment of the computer docking system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a working example of the connector array, shown forillustrative purposes only, of the computer docking system of FIG. 2mechanically disconnected from the port replicator.

FIG. 5 is a working example of the connector array, shown forillustrative purposes only, of the computer docking system of FIG. 2mechanically connected to the port replicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration a specific example whereby the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

System and Operational Overview

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a docking system in accordancewith the present invention. In general, FIG. 1 is a functional blockdiagram illustrating a system 100 for interfacing a portable computer110 to a remote expansion device 120, such as a docking station or portreplicator 120. The docking station or port replicator includes aconnector array 130 for interfacing input/output devices such asperipheral devices 140 to the portable computer 110.

Specifically, a portable computer 110 is removeably attached to theremote expansion device 120 (docking station or port replicator). Theconnection between the portable computer 110 and the remote expansiondevice 120 preferably provides both a physical and electrical connectionthat both secures the portable computer 110 to the remote expansiondevice 120, and provides an electrical communications interface betweenthe portable computer 110 and the remote expansion device, such as forconnecting the portable computer to external peripherals or for addingfunctionality including adding disk drives or a power source.

The connector array 130 is preferably removeably coupled, bothmechanically and electrically, to the remote expansion device 120. Forexample, in one embodiment, an upgradeable module 122, such as arecessed area of the remote expansion device 120 can be used tomechanically and electrically connect the connector array to the remoteexpansion device. However, it should be noted, for slim or smaller formfactor portable computers, the remote expansion device 120 can besmaller, and thus, the connector array 130 can simply be electricallycoupled to the remote expansion device 120, and not mechanicallycoupled, to allow the remote expansion device 120 to be as small aspossible. As such, in one embodiment, the connector array 130 does notneed to be mechanically fitted within the remote expansion device 120.

Since the connector array 130 is removeably coupled to the remoteexpansion device 120, the connector array 130 can be maneuvered to alloweasy and convenient connection of appropriate peripherals 140 to theconnector array 130. The remote expansion device 120 can be configuredto support peripheral devices 140 on the connector array 130, such as,for example, printers, mice, trackballs, keyboards, digital cameras,scanners, microphones, speakers, video display devices and the like. Theconnector array 130 can have any combination, or type, of ports, such asfor example, PS2, USB, serial, parallel, IEEE 1394, audio input oroutput, video input or output connectors, etc. These ports provide anelectrical communications interface between attached peripheral devices140 and the portable computer 110.

Component Details and Operation

FIG. 2 is a working example, shown for illustrative purposes only, ofthe computer docking system of FIG. 1. The present invention allows aportable computer 210 (similar to the portable computer 110 of FIG. 1)to be easily and conveniently used in a non-mobile computing environment200. In this example, the portable computer 210 is used as a“replacement” for a desktop computer. A remote expansion device 220(similar to the remote expansion device 120 of FIG. 1), such as adocking station or a port replicator, allows use of the portablecomputer 210 with input/output devices that are usually considerednon-portable and associated with a desktop computer system via aconnector array 230 (similar to the connector array 130 of FIG. 1). Thenon-portable devices can include a display monitor 235, a keyboard 240,a mouse 245, a printer (not shown) and other devices that typicallyinterface to remote expansion devices.

The portable computer 210 is electrically coupled, and preferablymechanically coupled, to the port replicator 220 in a removable fashion.For instance, the portable computer 210 can attach to the remoteexpansion device 220 via a single connector (not shown). The remoteexpansion device 220 can be any suitable expansion device, such as adocking station or a port replicator. Also, the connector array 230allows quick connection of the portable computer 210 to one or moreinput/output devices 235, 240, 245 (similar to the input/output devices140 of FIG. 1) that may be permanently or temporarily connected to theremote expansion device 220.

Typically, the remote expansion device 220 is connected to theinput/output devices via the connector array 230. The input/outputdevices remain connected to the remote expansion device 220 duringmobile use of the portable computer 210 outside of the computingenvironment 200. During non-mobile use of the portable computer 210, tofacilitate an interface between the portable computer 210 and theinput/output devices, the portable computer 210 is simply connected tothe remote expansion device 220. This allows easy and convenientinterfacing between all of the input/output devices and the portablecomputer 210 via a single connection between the portable computer 210and the remote expansion device 220. Thus, multiple connections anddisconnections are avoided to allow quick access to each of theinput/output devices connected to the remote expansion device 220.

The connector array 230 is preferably removeably coupled, bothmechanically and electrically, to the remote expansion device 220.However, as discussed above and shown in FIG. 3, for smaller form factorportable computers, the remote expansion device 220 is preferably onlyelectrically coupled to connector array 230, and not mechanicallycoupled, to allow the port replicator 220 to be as small as possible. Inboth cases, since the connector array 230 is removeably coupled to theremote expansion device 220, the connector array 230 can be convenientlyand easily maneuvered during connection of peripherals.

For example, in prior docking station systems, typically, multipleperipherals are connected via interface cables directly to the back ofthe remote expansion device. Consequently, the surface upon which thecomputer is resting often appears cluttered and unsightly due to atangle of interface cables connected to the port replicator. Further,since each peripheral needs to be individually connected to the remoteexpansion device via cables, access to the remote expansion device 220is cumbersome and inconvenient.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 3, to solve this problem, the connectorarray 230 of the present invention is removeably coupled to the remoteexpansion device 220. This configuration allows the connector array 230to be maneuvered and placed in an area 310, such as an open area of atable 320, as shown in FIG. 3, for easy and convenient connection ofcables 250 to appropriate input/output devices via the connector array230.

FIG. 4 is a working example of the connector array 230, shown forillustrative purposes only, of the computer docking system of FIG. 2mechanically disconnected from the remote expansion device 220.Referring to FIG. 4 along with FIG. 2, the remote expansion device 220preferably has a recessed area 410 for storing the connector array 230after appropriate peripherals are electrically connected to ports 415 ofthe connector array 230. This reduces clutter and tangling of the cables250 connecting the ports 415 of the connector array 230 to theinput/output devices (not shown).

In addition, an electrical cable 430 having a first rotating strainrelief joint 440, can be used to couple the connector array 230 to theremote expansion device 220. The strain relief joint 440 can beremoveably connected to the connector array 230 and the cable 430 can beremoveably connected to the remote expansion device 220. A second joint442 can be used to supply the connector array 230 with power. In thiscase, the connector array 230 includes an independent power.Alternatively, the connector array 230 can be powered by a power supplycontained in the remote expansion device 220.

Although FIGS. 2-4 depict the connector array 230 as a rectangular blockthat fits within the recessed area 410 of the remote expansion device220, the connector array 230 can be any suitable size and shape and canbe designed to interface with specific portable computers. Further, theremote expansion device 220 can be upgradeable so that it accepts anysuitable connector array 230, such as upgraded or newer connectorarrays, as well as connector arrays that are enhanced and haveadditional or advanced connections for input/output devices, such asnetwork communication capabilities.

FIG. 5 is a working example of the connector array, shown forillustrative purposes only, of the computer docking system of FIG. 2mechanically connected to the port replicator. Referring to FIG. 5 alongwith FIGS. 2-4, the connector array is shown fitted within the recessedarea 410 of the remote expansion device 220. Depending on the desiredconfiguration, the connector array can be stored within the recessedarea 410 or maneuvered to allow easy and convenient location andconnection of appropriate input/output devices to the connector array230 or for reducing clutter and tangling of the cables of theinput/output devices connected to the connector array 230.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoing description should beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should beappreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described byworkers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking system for a computer, including aremote expansion device removeably coupled to the computer, comprising:a removable connector array electrically coupled to the remote expansiondevice; at least one interface port for coupling input/output devices tothe computer; and a storage area located with the remote expansiondevice for mechanically storing the connector array within the storagearea in a removable fashion.
 2. The docking system of claim 1, whereinthe connector array is electrically coupled to an external power source.3. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the connector array includesan internal power source.
 4. The docking system of claim 1, furthercomprising an upgradeable module associated with the remote expansiondevice for allowing upgraded connector arrays to connect to the remoteexpansion device.
 5. The docking system of claim 1, wherein theconnector array is a port replicator.
 6. The docking system of claim 1,further comprising a strain relief joint at the electrical couplingbetween the connector array and the remote expansion device.
 7. Thedocking system of claim 5, wherein the port replicator is an enhancedport replicator with network communication capabilities.
 8. Aninput/output device interface for a portable computer, comprising: aremote expansion device removeably coupled to the portable computer; aremovable connector array electrically coupled to the remote expansiondevice and including at least one interface port for coupling theinput/output devices to the portable computer via the remote expansiondevice; and a storage area located within the remote expansion devicefor mechanically storing the connector array within the storage area ina removable fashion.
 9. The input/output device interface of claim 8,wherein the connector array is electrically coupled to an external powersource.
 10. The input/output device interface of claim 8, wherein theconnector array includes an internal power source.
 11. The input/outputdevice interface of claim 8, further comprising an upgradeable moduleassociated with the remote expansion device for allowing upgradedconnector arrays to connect to the remote expansion device.
 12. Theinput/output device interface of claim 8, wherein the connector array isa port replicator.
 13. The input/output device interface of claim 8,further comprising a strain relief joint at the electrical couplingbetween the connector array and the remote expansion device.
 14. Theinput/output device interface of claim 12, wherein the port replicatoris an enhanced port replicator with network communication capabilities.15. A port replicator for a portable computer, comprising: a remoteexpansion device removeably coupled to the portable computer; aremovable connector array electrically coupled to the remote expansiondevice and including at least one interface port for couplinginput/output devices to the portable computer via the remote expansiondevice; and a storage area located within the remote expansion devicefor mechanically storing the connector array within the storage area ina removable fashion.
 16. The port replicator of claim 15, furthercomprising an upgradeable module associated with the remote expansiondevice for allowing upgraded connector arrays to connect to the remoteexpansion device.
 17. The port replicator of claim 15, wherein theconnector array is an enhanced port replicator with networkcommunication capabilities.
 18. The port replicator of claim 15, furthercomprising a strain relief joint at the electrical coupling between theconnector array and the remote expansion device.